Mastered over 60 hours in Mario Kart World: My top 3 strategies for winning every race
I freakin' love competition, and that's especially true when it comes to Mario Kart World. I've been cruisin' the tracks on my Nintendo Switch 2 since it dropped, ringin' up over 60 hours of playtime in my quest to outrun friends, family, and online enemies alike.
Recently, I hosted an epic eight-player Mario Kart World tournament with the crew at Future Labs, and let me tell ya, I've made sure they all remember who took home the victory. I've also got a solid online record, even though things can sometimes get a little crazy out there.
But here's the deal: Mario Kart World on the Switch 2 ain't just a simple tweak to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It's a whole new ball game, and adaptin' to the feel of this new entry can take time. Whether you're strugglelin' to keep up or just lookin' to take your game to the next level, here are a few tips that's helped me stay one step ahead.
1. Master the tracks in Free Roam Mode
Now, you might be thinking non-stop racing in Race or Knockout mode will be enough to nail down each course, but I gotta tell ya, there's gold in them thar hills when you practice away from your opponents. Time trials are one way to do it, but in my book, Free Roam Mode is the way to go.
This new mode lets you travel the entire game's map unrestricted, checkin' out every track and the areas in between. And it's right here that I found shortcuts like the super-fast rail grind route at the start of Shy Guy Bazaar and the massive leap of faith at the end of Great ? Block Ruins. You can rewind your ride by holdin' down on the D-pad, no shame in that. Just keep tryin' till you've got each shortcut locked in.
Learnin' how to rail grind and slide through the tracks' various courses will be crucial as you take on more advanced players online or race against trickier Time Trials ghosts. Yeah, there are tons of tracks where takin' the harder route will save you a whole lot of time - Acorn Heights and Wario Shipyard come to mind.
I found most of the craziest shortcuts by watchin' world record ghosts in Time Trials, so I say you give it a go!
2. Don't neglect character and kart combos
So, if you're aimin' for top speeds, there's only one character that fits the bill: Bowser. But should you focus entirely on max speeds for multiplayer madness? Well, maybe not.
Though I love rollin' around as a Pianta (a heavier option), I actually spend most of my time as the exceptionally light Sidestepper, who happens to be a crab-type character and can be found in the photos. I pair him with the Baby Blooper kart, a combo with a less-than-impressive top speed but a hefty helpin' of acceleration and decent handling. This setup has served me well, especially online.
Given you're gonna get clobbered by blue shells, boomerangs, and more out there, the last thing you want is a character and kart combo with a slow build-up speed, like Bowser and the Reel Racer.
A high-acceleration build - like the one I use - will get you movin' back up the pack quicker. And if you need to claw your way back in Knockout or snag first place in a Grand Prix, that's gonna make a world of difference.
But if you're all about Time Trials - where gettin' hit isn't a concern - by all means, go crazy with that speed stat. Bowser, Wario, Cow, and Waluigi all make for great combo choices too.
3. Don't forget about coins!
So, you've managed to muscle your way into the lead, it's the third lap, and you dive headfirst into a boost box. You wait to see what you've pulled, and...it's a single, solitary coin. Are you feelin' a little let down? Well, maybe you shouldn't!
Coins play a bigger role than you might think. Each one you gather increases your overall speed, but only up to a maximum of 20 coins. The rate of speed increase per coin varies depending on your character and kart combo, but in any case, it's important to keep your cache stocked, or you might find yourself strugglin' to keep up with the pack.
Here's a nifty coin tip for ya, and I swear by it: If you're in first place and score a coin as your item, don't use it right away. 'Cause if you already have a coin and enter another item box, there's a 0% chance your next item will be another stinkin' coin. That means you're guaranteed to pull a defensive item, such as a banana, green shell, or even a horn, which could help you protect your lead.
Coins aren't just helpful for boostin' your speed, they're also crucial for unlockin' new karts and stickers. So as you can see, they're a vital part of the Mario Kart World experience.
That's all I've got for now, but I got plenty more tips where that came from. And hey, I'd love to hear your tips or if you've got any questions about crushin' it in Mario Kart World. Hit me up in the comments!
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- Utilizing Free Roam Mode can help players discover hidden shortcuts on various tracks, such as a rail grind route in Shy Guy Bazaar or a massive leap of faith in Great ? Block Ruins, which can provide a significant advantage during races.
- Choosing a character and kart combination, like the Sidestepper and Baby Blooper, with a high acceleration can be beneficial in a multiplayer game, as it allows for quick recovery when hit by items like blue shells or boomerangs. However, for Time Trials where getting hit is not a concern, faster characters like Bowser or Wario may be preferred.
